Taylor Swift has repeatedly proven that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Through her chart-topping albums and record-breaking performances, Swift has built a massive and dedicated fan base. So when Swift made the exciting announcement that her record-breaking The Eras Tour would be brought into theaters, both fans who had and hadn’t attended in person were ecstatic about the unique and intimate experience it would offer.
Few things can compare to the electric atmosphere of being in a packed stadium during a Taylor Swift concert. There is an undeniable magic in the air as fans from all over come together to celebrate the music that has touched so many hearts.
“I wasn’t able to attend the concert when [Swift] was here due to last-minute changes, but going to the theaters and watching it live was just as surreal,” commented Divannee Flores, a junior at Arcadia High School (AHS).“Not only was I able to connect with my friends and have a blast…I was also able to get half the experience of what it would have been like.”
The film takes the audience on a journey through Swift’s impressive career, highlighting her different eras and showcasing her evolution as an artist. From the country-infused sounds of her early days to the pop-driven hits that led to her stardom, The Eras Tour captured the essence of each version of Swift’s image. With many standouts in the movie, opening it all up with “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” was nothing short of genius. The song’s pre-chorus lyrics “It’s been a long time coming,” which were sung before taking to the stage, connected back to the lockdown and the big gap that was created between tours because of it. Also, with the captivating performance of this track, it was the perfect introduction to the tour.
Another standout moment was the whole Reputation set. Filled with a dark aura that is portrayed by that album, Swift as well as her backup dancers were dressed in black and red to showcase the themes of revenge and self-confidence. On top of that, the movie had CGI snakes slithering through the stage to add to the thrilling experience. Additionally, songs like “I Did Something Bad” had an electrifying energy that left everyone exhilarated, making it impossible to not be completely engrossed in the performance.
“A lot of people enjoyed hearing the 1989 songs or the Reputation songs; however, everyone needs to focus also on how out of the world her performance for Folklore was. Having made a whole story on stage by singing ‘Betty’ and ‘August’ was cute,” adds Arianna Medal, sophomore at Arcadia High School (AHS).
One of the most touching aspects of the film was Swift’s choice of surprise acoustic versions of songs. The first song is “Our Song,” followed by “You’re On Your Own Kid.” The contrast between these two songs not only portrays how far Swift has come as a singer but also the difference in how she showcases herself through music. The song “Our Song” represents innocence and naive youth, a time of first love, whereas “You’re On Your Own Kid” reflects her growth both in the music industry and as a person.
“I wish to see it on Netflix or other streaming services because it mesmerized me so much just seeing my idol on the big screen performing my favorite songs,” added Vania Ahmadi, a junior at AHS. “I would love to experience that at home with my family and make them love Taylor the way I do.”
The Eras Tour is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While it is still unclear if the concert will be available on streaming services, it has already grossed over $120 million worldwide. Not only does this show the number of people dedicated to her music, but also how much it impacted the audience as they chose to revisit it even after attending the concert live. It is without a doubt that Taylor Swift has the power to bring a smile to the faces of many with the work that she does.
